- KG and Bjelica will close a lot of games for us at C and PF when things are tight, with Towns and Dieng watching from the bench.
Disagree with this. Im not as high on bjelica as a lot here are. He has not proven anything in this league to warrant such faith.
If pek is healthy, he will finish games for us. If not, I see dieng finishing games in his place along with kg. Both pek and dieng are very good ft shooter and can score so they are not a liability in clutch time. I can't see bjelica playing over them. I see towns finishing games for us towards the end of the season as well.
He hasn't proven anything in the NBA because he hasn't had the opportunity to do so yet. I know you're high on Andrew Wiggins (who isn't at this point?). Before the regular season started last year, would you have assumed Wiggins would close out games for us? I'd bet so, and the reason why is because he had a good track record. The same can be said for Nemanja Bjelica.
Another reason why he could end games is because he's the better floor spacer between him and Dieng. I know Dieng's been stretching his shot to three-point range during the Afro tourney, but I don't see that being a consistent tool he'll use in the NBA.
Cam, I was sure on Wiggins last season no doubt. That is because aside from believing in his talent, I also see no better alternative at his spot.
That is not the case with bjelica. I prefer pek and dieng over him right now for the reasons I stated. To add to that, kg rarely plays inside anymore. Martin is in my clutch time lineup because he spreads the floor. You have rubio as the playmaker and Wiggins as the go to guy. If pek is there, he is valuable as an inside option and he makes his fts. Dieng has a unique offensive game and can make his fts as well. Bjelica is a jack of all trades type but he is no specialist in anything. I want rubio with the ball and 1 thing kg can still do is make plays at the high post. While dieng needs improvement on his d, I would think he and kg is better than kg and bjelica on d. I might want towns in ahead of bjelica as well and if we go small. Bazz is my prefer option.
worldK wrote:Cam, I was sure on Wiggins last season no doubt. That is because aside from believing in his talent, I also see no better alternative at his spot.
That is not the case with bjelica. I prefer pek and dieng over him right now for the reasons I stated. To add to that, kg rarely plays inside anymore. Martin is in my clutch time lineup because he spreads the floor. You have rubio as the playmaker and Wiggins as the go to guy. If pek is there, he is valuable as an inside option and he makes his fts. Dieng has a unique offensive game and can make his fts as well. Bjelica is a jack of all trades type but he is no specialist in anything. I want rubio with the ball and 1 thing kg can still do is make plays at the high post. While dieng needs improvement on his d, I would think he and kg is better than kg and bjelica on d. I might want towns in ahead of bjelica as well and if we go small. Bazz is my prefer option.
Camden wrote:
worldK wrote:
Q12543 wrote:
- KG and Bjelica will close a lot of games for us at C and PF when things are tight, with Towns and Dieng watching from the bench.
Disagree with this. Im not as high on bjelica as a lot here are. He has not proven anything in this league to warrant such faith.
If pek is healthy, he will finish games for us. If not, I see dieng finishing games in his place along with kg. Both pek and dieng are very good ft shooter and can score so they are not a liability in clutch time. I can't see bjelica playing over them. I see towns finishing games for us towards the end of the season as well.
He hasn't proven anything in the NBA because he hasn't had the opportunity to do so yet. I know you're high on Andrew Wiggins (who isn't at this point?). Before the regular season started last year, would you have assumed Wiggins would close out games for us? I'd bet so, and the reason why is because he had a good track record. The same can be said for Nemanja Bjelica.
Another reason why he could end games is because he's the better floor spacer between him and Dieng. I know Dieng's been stretching his shot to three-point range during the Afro tourney, but I don't see that being a consistent tool he'll use in the NBA.
Two excellent points about why Bjelica is less likely to be one of our closers, world. Flip does have several other veteran big men options, especially if Pek is available...wasn't the case with Wiggins. And you gotta have guys on the court at crunch time who can make their FTs. Bjelica is only 72% lifetime, and only 68% in his most recent season. Flip has a lot of other guys he can trust more at the line.
Isn't Towns a great FT shooter? I can see him closing out games just because of his length and threat to block shots, pass, and hit his FT's. Only concern is fouling. I think he will adjust.
bleedspeed177 wrote:Isn't Towns a great FT shooter? I can see him closing out games just because of his length and threat to block shots, pass, and hit his FT's. Only concern is fouling. I think he will adjust.
Yep, 81% at Kentucky...it's certainly an argument for having him on the floor at game end. I still think Flip will go with more veteran options (like Pek), if they are available. But if Towns proves himself worthy of a closer role, it's going to be a very good thing for the Wolves.
It would be good if he got left open for a 3 at the end of the game and nailed it. He should cause a lot of problems. I hope Pek plays 60 games because I think he will grow more playing next to Pek then teamed with anyone else.
bleedspeed177 wrote:It would be good if he got left open for a 3 at the end of the game and nailed it. He should cause a lot of problems. I hope Pek plays 60 games because I think he will grow more playing next to Pek then teamed with anyone else.
Me too, bleed. It would also give him more chance to play PF. A defensive tandem of a lane clogger like Pek and a rim protector like Towns could really be effective.
